How do I make sure I get an unlockable one? - Moto G 5G Questions & Answers

I'm interested in getting a 2113 to unlock (bootloader) and root. But frankly, I've had so many traumatic experiences with other models where I buy a phone and then I can't unlock it. I'm kind of afraid to try again.
So before I buy another phone, I want to make absolutely *** **** ****** ******* **** ****** certain that I can unlock it.
I'm planning to buy off eBay. What do I look for to guarantee with complete certainty that I get a phone I can unlock? I really don't want to buy another $100 paperweight.
Thank you. I'm counting on all of you.

I think XT2113-2 is unlockable, but I can't say definitively. Moto gives ATT and VZW different variants from what I've seen. Always best to contact the seller to be sure.

AT&T and Verizon phones are not unlockable. Any phone that has been previously unlocked and relocked is probably a brick, but is certainly not unlockable.

I bought a T-Mobile model. Got one that was carrier unlocked, just in case that would get in the way.
I turned on OEM unlocking.
I rebooted into the bootloader.
I ran the appropriate fastboot command.
I gave the code to Motorola, and got the unlock code from them.
I unlocked the bootloader.
I booted back up.
Oh my god, you don't know how good it feels! After all the phones that were just money down the drain, finally I get a good one that unlocks with no trouble at all! I kissed the phone, I was so happy!

Related

Verizon Moto G Unlock Bootloader / Root?

Does anyone know if the Verizon version of the Moto G can be easily unlocked and rooted like the GSM version? Knowing Verizon's track record with locked down devices I wouldn't be surprised if it can't be unlocked. I'm thinking about buying one as a wifi/media device for my car, but I'd also like to play around with dev on it so a non-unlockable bootloader would be a deal breaker.
detonation said:
Does anyone know if the Verizon version of the Moto G can be easily unlocked and rooted like the GSM version? Knowing Verizon's track record with locking down devices I wouldn't be surprised if it is locked. I'm thinking about buying one as a wifi/media device for my car, but I'd also like to play around with dev on it so a locked bootloader would be a deal breaker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to be clear, *all* Moto Gs (GSM) ship with locked bootloaders, even if you buy one that is factory SIM-unlocked, but Motorola offers a way to unlock the bootloader on the phone (for free) via their web site after you register it and request an unlock code. In the U.S., doing so voids your hardware warranty.
So the question isn't whether or not the Verizon model will have a locked bootloader or not. It surely will, as they all do. The question is whether Motorola's on-line bootloader unlocker will work with Verizon-branded CDMA model or not. And at this point, given that it hasn't been released yet and nobody has one, how is anybody supposed to answer that question?
-- Nathan
nlra said:
Just to be clear, *all* Moto Gs (GSM) ship with locked bootloaders, even if you buy one that is factory SIM-unlocked, but Motorola offers a way to unlock the bootloader on the phone (for free) via their web site after you register it and request an unlock code. In the U.S., doing so voids your hardware warranty.
So the question isn't whether or not the Verizon model will have a locked bootloader or not. It surely will, as they all do. The question is whether Motorola's on-line bootloader unlocker will work with Verizon-branded CDMA model or not. And at this point, given that it hasn't been released yet and nobody has one, how is anybody supposed to answer that question?
-- Nathan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually available in some Best Buys right now and I think I've seen a few people say they've picked one up. I also updated the OP to use the right terminology though I'm sure everyone knew what I meant anyway.
detonation said:
It's actually available in some Best Buys right now and I think I've seen a few people say they've picked one up. I also updated the OP to use the right terminology though I'm sure everyone knew what I meant anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to purchase one last night at my local Best Buy after proving to them that they were in fact somewhere in the store, and waiting for them to call their Verizon rep, I just attempted the bootloader unlock on the Motorola Developer (official bootloader unlock) and I can confirm that it is not eligible for unlock at this time. Huge letdown for me as I was gonna get one for myself soon, but the wife won't really care about it being unlocked so for her it's still a good deal.
I purchased the moto G today and it says it is not eligible for bootloader unlock.
I was able to get past the activation screen and not activate it.
Every time I turn the phone on it does ask for activation. Wish I could get rid of this...
Anybody have a way to unlock the bootloader on the Verizon version?
I am waiting for unlock and root for VZW version too before I get it
Moto-G bootloader...
I was fat and happy to buy a pair of these when they became available in my area, but not being able to unlock the bootloader, and also not able to obtain the code from Circle-M, has forced us to begin looking at other devices, and forget the 'G'.
Too bad, I was really looking forward to expanding its horizons, but not if the game is to maintain a lock on my own device, no thank you!
Moto G 》VZW 》Get past the activation screen
MustangChris04 said:
I purchased the moto G today and it says it is not eligible for bootloader unlock.
I was able to get past the activation screen and not activate it.
Every time I turn the phone on it does ask for activation. Wish I could get rid of this...
Anybody have a way to unlock the bootloader on the Verizon version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did get past the activation screen? Trying to use the moto g as a wifi/media only device. TIA
I got the US CDMA version for BoostMobile & had it unlocked 'n rooted w/in minutes of unboxing yesterday.
You sure you're entering the serial # correctly?
(I didn't take out all of the spaces the first time and got denied, then fixed it & unlocked)
Good luck!
kr338r said:
I got the US CDMA version for BoostMobile & had it unlocked 'n rooted w/in minutes of unboxing yesterday.
You sure you're entering the serial # correctly?
(I didn't take out all of the spaces the first time and got denied, then fixed it & unlocked)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought BoostMobile runs on Sprint's network?
there is no boost version that I'm aware of..
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
motrinHD said:
there is no boost version that I'm aware of..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, but there is more...
http://www.hsn.com/products/motorola-moto-g-45-quad-core-no-contract-smartphone/7347964
So I'm very seriously thinking of getting one
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
So this may be a dumb question, but would it be possible to unlock the bootloader of a Boost Moto G and flash it to Verizon?
S_transform said:
So this may be a dumb question, but would it be possible to unlock the bootloader of a Boost Moto G and flash it to Verizon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you can't flash a Boost CDMA phone and use it on Verizon (and vice versa): CDMA phones don't have SIM card to identify carriers; instead the carriers keep a database of admissable IMEI. Boost IMEI obviously not on Verizon's database, in which case you are stuck.
(Feel free to correct me, but please hold your flame )
kr338r said:
I got the US CDMA version for BoostMobile & had it unlocked 'n rooted w/in minutes of unboxing yesterday.
You sure you're entering the serial # correctly?
(I didn't take out all of the spaces the first time and got denied, then fixed it & unlocked)
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can anyone with the Verizon version confirm that this works?
Just attempted to on a VZW MotoG with no success.
Well thats a bummer. I tried to unlock it but seem to have problems with the fastboot drivers on my pc. Ill mess with it a little bit later and post the results.
koebrah said:
How did get past the activation screen? Trying to use the moto g as a wifi/media only device. TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to activate it and get a phone number to get past that screen. You dont have to pay anything, just select "pay later" both time it asks you. It'll give you a number and then you can connect to wifi to do the rest of the steps.
Altering the setup app in any way thereafter reboots the phone, so you'll always have the activate app in your drawer. Thanks, Verizon.
Verizon is ONE BIG PILE Horse-Chit.. I hate that company with a passion...
So I moved my Family to T-Mo and bought 2 Nexus 5's and 2 Moto G's!
I will NEVER-EVER go back to Verizon... EVER!
They are the most archaic, backward and Xpensive carrier in North America
Pleas do yourself a favor and leave that - HORRIBLE effin COMPANY
P.S. I REPEAT - I will NEVER-EVER go back to Verizon... EVER
Visit this site and read the horror stories: http://verizarape.com/

Will my 3rd gen have bootloader unlock?

Hi.
Do every Moto G 3rd gen have the ability to unlock the bootloader? What determines if I can unlock? Will I only know when mine have arrived? (I ordered one from amazon.co.uk today, a black 16gb model without a carrier.)
(Oooops, this should probably have gone in the Q&A part of the forum)
yes, it'll be unlockable
Unless you got a carrier specific branded model (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, or whatever), it should be unlockable via the Moto site. One thing to keep in mind is that if you go through the process on the website and accept the terms and conditions, your warranty is void... period... It doesn't matter if you actually unlock or not, once you accept the T&C your warranty is gone, so it is best to wait a week or two before unlocking the bootloader to verify there are no issues, but to be completely honest, this is the first phone I have had in a while that I have no great want want to unlock and root, and I was a flashaholic on my old Nexus 4, the stock ROM is very good.

Verizon Pixel 3a OEM unlock

Hi everyone,
I recently just get my new google pixel 3a from amazon,
but it seems like they send me the Verizon version of it.
The version of the phone is android 10 and I am trying to unlocked OEM under developer options in order to root my device,
but it's likely seems like there is no way that I can unlock the OEM...?
So I was wondering if anyone know the way of unlocking it or maybe there is a way that I can root without Unlocking the OEM.
Thank you!!
Skylar514 said:
Hi everyone,
I recently just get my new google pixel 3a from amazon,
but it seems like they send me the Verizon version of it.
The version of the phone is android 10 and I am trying to unlocked OEM under developer options in order to root my device,
but it's likely seems like there is no way that I can unlock the OEM...?
So I was wondering if anyone know the way of unlocking it or maybe there is a way that I can root without Unlocking the OEM.
Thank you!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Verizon is notorious for locking down their equipment!!! I would recommend seeing if you can return it and get the unlocked variant!
Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk
Just a heads up if anyone happens to find this after grabbing the $200 3a from Verizon: they claim they will unlock your phone after 60 days, something on their site I confirmed with a rep. I'll update January 24 if it does or doesn't happen as I plan to root then (for me, a $200 discount was worth a two month delay).
iamxaq said:
Just a heads up if anyone happens to find this after grabbing the $200 3a from Verizon: they claim they will unlock your phone after 60 days, something on their site I confirmed with a rep. I'll update January 24 if it does or doesn't happen as I plan to root then (for me, a $200 discount was worth a two month delay).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just so you are aware, the rep is talking about the SIM card lock. This is different than the bootloader unlock which is required to root your phone.
A SIM card unlock allows you to use the phone with other service providers. Most providers will lock the phone as long as you owe money on the phone. If you bought it outright or have paid the phone off, then the provider will generally SIM unlock the phone. Verizon won't even SIM card unlock the phone until it has been active for 60 days. They say this is to prevent pre-sale theft of their phones, but the policy is certainly more strict than any other provider. However do not misinterpret this to mean that Verizon will SIM unlock all phones after 60 days. If you owe money on the phone, they are not obligated to SIM card unlock it. It is possible sometimes to get the provider to SIM unlock the phone while you still owe money on the phone, but that can be hit and miss.
A bootloader unlock is needed to root the phone. Verizon is the one USA service provider that locks the bootloader of all their devices by policy. Even if a Verizon phone is SIM card unlocked, there is no guarantee that you will be able to bootloader unlock the phone or root it. Generally speaking, you should consider every Verizon phone to be bootloader locked and considering it "winning the lottery" if you are actually able to bootloader unlock it. There are times when Verizon messes up the IMEI numbers and allow phones to be unlocked, but that this just luck if it happens.
I've owned Verizon phones before that were bootloader locked and I will never buy another one. But that is my personal preference. If you have no interest in rooting your phone, then the bootloader isn't that important of an issue. But if you do want to root the phone (and it sound like you do), I would recommend that you see about returning the phone during the return period and purchasing the "Unlocked" version (the "NON-Verizon version).
Sic is correct. Verizon will only SIM unlock the phones. That was the main reason I left them back when I had to use rumrunner on my M7. Once it died and I had to get another phone, I left Verizon and never looked back. When they asked why I was leaving, I told them I might return if they ever let us unlock our bootloaders. The employee knew there was no saving me at that point.
If you want to have an unlocked bootloader, the best bet would be to have a non-carrier branded phone.

At&t pixel 5 is carrier-locked

Does anyone know an unofficial way to unlock this? Otherwise it's going back.
Thanks
joemommasfat said:
Does anyone know an unofficial way to unlock this? Otherwise it's going back.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it financed, or did you buy it outright? Mine is financed, but I assumed (like an idiot, after all this is at&t) that I would be able to unlock it after paying it off. Please don't tell me I'm stuck.
Mine is financed, but I have 14 days to return it. I thought it was a deal at $450, but if I can't root it, I'll have to get an unlocked one.
I'm not from the US but I think people on the OP7Pro would call up and saying there are going on a business trip abroad so could they please have the device unlocked.
It was a bit of a lottery if they got someone chill who would do it. The other option is to pay it off.
That might have been another US network though.
Sent from my Pixel 5 using XDA Labs
rav101 said:
I'm not from the US but I think people on the OP7Pro would call up and saying there are going on a business trip abroad so could they please have the device unlocked.
It was a bit of a lottery if they got someone chill who would do it. The other option is to pay it off.
That might have been another US network though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was the locked t-mo model, and that's how I got mine unlocked. I don't work at at&t anymore but when I did there would be no way to unlock it without it being paid off. However I was contracted to work with at&t and not directly employed by them, maybe someone would have permission to do so I'm just doubtful.
joemommasfat said:
Mine is financed, but I have 14 days to return it. I thought it was a deal at $450, but if I can't root it, I'll have to get an unlocked one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Carrier locked is not the same as bootloader locked. As long as you can toggle the unlock bootloader setting in the developer options menu, you can root. You just can't insert the SIM of another carrier until your device is paid off.
You cannot toggle the OEM unlocking switch on carrier locked devices
joemommasfat said:
Mine is financed, but I have 14 days to return it. I thought it was a deal at $450, but if I can't root it, I'll have to get an unlocked one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, you just now discovered that carrier locked phones can't be rooted?
Tel864 said:
LOL, you just now discovered that carrier locked phones can't be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I discovered when I received the phone that at&t was carrier locking this phone. I was asking if anyone had found a way to side step this.
Tel864 said:
LOL, you just now discovered that carrier locked phones can't be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's amazing the number of people who still don't know that carrier incentivized devices are locked and the exploit ship has long ago sailed away into the sunset.
l7777 said:
It's amazing the number of people who still don't know that carrier incentivized devices are locked and the exploit ship has long ago sailed away into the sunset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's truley amazing is that I thought I could ask a question on this forum without a bunch of 1337 know-it-alls being condescending.
joemommasfat said:
What's truley amazing is that I thought I could ask a question on this forum without a bunch of 1337 know-it-alls being condescending.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies, no condescension intended. It looks like you've been rooting devices all the way back to the HTC M8. That may well have been one of the last devices that could be bootloader unlocked via exploit. I find it hard to believe that you have been active on XDA all this time and never read any posts regarding bootloader unlocking of Verizon branded/locked devices. The answer regarding bootloader unlock and root has been the same for many years now. Thus my statement that I'm amazed people are still not aware of this.
I didn't know that either. Guess all the phones I've purchased have been unlock devices.. My last phone was a samsung note 10 whick couldn't be unlocked.
if pixel 5 is anything like pixel 4 then the oem bootloader unlock option is tied to the sim lock status. for example my p4 was carrier lock to EE but i paid it off right away so i can sim unlock. becuz i read that once sim unlocked, the oem unlock toggle ungreys itself. this is exactly what happened and i was then able to unlock bootloader.
i read posts about at&t models when early researching the p4 and the way i remember it being explained was it is like apple unlocking system. the serial gets whitelisted for unlocking on google servers which then sim unlocks phone. but this also controls the oem unlock toggle! so basically sim lock status = oem unlock toggle ability status. but again this was for p4.
if youre willing to pay it off early you should be able to unlock. im debating going to p5 because of batteyr life on p4. otherwise love the phone. choices choices! anyway hope this info helps mate, good luck
vdevl said:
if pixel 5 is anything like pixel 4 then the oem bootloader unlock option is tied to the sim lock status. for example my p4 was carrier lock to EE but i paid it off right away so i can sim unlock. becuz i read that once sim unlocked, the oem unlock toggle ungreys itself. this is exactly what happened and i was then able to unlock bootloader.
i read posts about at&t models when early researching the p4 and the way i remember it being explained was it is like apple unlocking system. the serial gets whitelisted for unlocking on google servers which then sim unlocks phone. but this also controls the oem unlock toggle! so basically sim lock status = oem unlock toggle ability status. but again this was for p4.
if youre willing to pay it off early you should be able to unlock. im debating going to p5 because of batteyr life on p4. otherwise love the phone. choices choices! anyway hope this info helps mate, good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. Unfortunately if you pay it off early, you have to pay full price (which is somehow more than buying it straight from google). The discounted price only applies if you submit to the 30 month lock in. I returned the phone. Guess I'm sticking with the trusty 2xl for a little longer.
The carrier unlock and SIM unlock are tied together for T-Mobile and AT&T, only Verizon has the "OEM unlock" permanently stuck to OFF and they will not unlock it. I think they need to be pressured but it will take work. They have no excuse.
But AT&T and T-Mobile will unlock the OEM toggle when they SIM unlock, it was confirmed with Pixel 4 when they started selling those carrier-locked. Just usually have to pay off unless you can convince them early.
FYI....T-Mobile only sells the 4a 5G, not the 5. Could change as 5 stock comes back. Short supply right now.

Sprint SIM unlock...haven't bought phone yet

Looking at picking up a 8T, and I have Sprint. I don't want to roll over to Tmo because I'm on grandfathered BYOD plans that I don't want to give up.
I also want dual SIM, so I'll need to SIM unlock and BL unlock. I've read over a few threads where people are finding that Sprint won't SIM unlock these phones, but it also sounds like they're all on installment billing deals, and trying to get them unlocked early?
Is Sprint just flat not unlocking these phones period, or just not doing it on financed phones? Would I be OK if I just paid for it full retail and get it unlocked immediately, or would I still be subject to the 40-something day waiting period?
i sure like the idea of getting the phone free with trade in, but not if it means I can't get it unlocked and modified for dual SIM...the _only_ reason I bought my current Pixel was for the dual SIM feature...
I could not get it done because of the installment plan. But I think they would be more flexible over the waiting period. But then again, it's Sprint.
"it's Sprint"...yeah, that's one of my concerns, lol. It's been pretty difficult to find anyone that's hasn't done one of these phones on installment..., but then given that few people likely have $800 to drop on a phone, and the "free with trade in" deals that Tmo/Sprint are doing on the phones, I'm not really surprised either.
I'm not really even all that opposed to just waiting a couple months to get the unlock if that's what it comes down to, but at the same time, I don't want to drop $800 only to find I'm still boned 2 months later too...
From what I understand, you can take your device into tmobile and have them put a Tmo SIM in it for free, which effective unlocks your Sprint SIM, but I don't know enough about how any of that works to know whether it means it's fully unlocked from that point, or simply locked to Tmobile.
Edit: I plan on doing this Monday, so I'll try the bootloader unlock and let you know if it's successful.
DaddyIronwood said:
From what I understand, you can take your device into tmobile and have them put a Tmo SIM in it for free, which effective unlocks your Sprint SIM, but I don't know enough about how any of that works to know whether it means it's fully unlocked from that point, or simply locked to Tmobile.
Edit: I plan on doing this Monday, so I'll try the bootloader unlock and let you know if it's successful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since tmobile and sprint are one company now thats why it works. It doesn't sim unlock the phone or make oem unlocking available so no bootloader unlock and no root

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